Renting in Richmond upon Thames: check-in and getting your deposit back

Homes to rent in Richmond upon Thames

Richmond upon Thames has one of the lowest shares of private renting among London’s riverside boroughs (24.7% in 2021) and most homes are owner-occupied. The stock is dominated by Victorian and Edwardian terraces and semis, with Georgian houses around Richmond and Twickenham and many conservation areas. Lets are often whole family houses or flats in period conversions; there are also riverside apartment blocks and some student lets near St Mary’s University in Strawberry Hill. Prices are among the highest in outer London.

Average rent: £2,333 a month (ONS, August 2026), up 4.4% on a year earlier. Source

On moving-in day

1. Before unpacking, photograph every room: a wide shot, then each item, with the date and time on every photo.
2. Photograph the meters (gas, electricity, water) and write down the readings.
3. Count the keys and fobs, and test the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
4. Note anything worn, marked or not working, and send it to the landlord or agent within a few days.

Things to look at in Richmond upon Thames homes

• Sash windows in the Georgian and Victorian houses: photograph cords, catches, locks and any rot or flaking paint on sills.
• Period features such as fireplaces, cornicing and original floorboards: photograph them close up, as marks and chips here are often disputed.
• Gardens are a big part of many lets: photograph lawns, borders, fences, sheds and any garden furniture, and note who maintains them.
• Homes near the Thames in Kew, Barnes, Twickenham and Teddington: photograph walls, skirting and any cellar for signs of damp, and note any flood barriers or sandbags provided.
• Riverside apartment blocks: photograph the communal entrance, lift, parking space and bin store, and record fob, key and remote counts.
• In period conversions, photograph the shared hallway and stairs and note who is responsible for them.

Your deposit

Your landlord must protect your deposit in the DPS, TDS or mydeposits within 30 days and tell you which. At the end, deductions can only be for damage beyond fair wear and tear, cleaning back to the check-in standard, or rent owed. A dated check-in record is your best protection.

Help from the council

Richmond Council’s private sector housing team can inspect rented homes for disrepair and hazards; tenants can contact it through the council’s private housing pages. Richmond upon Thames Council: private renting.

Do your check-in free Moving-in checklist